Deaton speaks out against Anheuser-Busch's 'Team Pride' campaign

COLUMBIA — Chancellor Brady J. Deaton responded yesterday to the new Anheuser-Busch marketing campaign titled “Team Pride” that places MU school colors on beer cans. Deaton is opposed to the promotion’s association with MU and said the university did not approve the plan.

“This is completely unacceptable and conveys the impression that the university is somehow supportive of this marketing effort,” Deaton said in a letter to Frank Hellwig, senior associate general counsel at Anheuser-Busch.

Deaton asked that Anheuser-Busch end the advertising effort immediately.

“At MU, we work hard to educate our students about making responsible choices,” Deaton wrote. “I would call upon Anheuser-Busch as a leading Missouri corporation to assist us in that process rather than targeting this age group with team colors on beer cans.”